External Funding Opportunities

May 3, 2011

On April 29, 2011, Hawaiian Electric issued a request for proposals (RFP) to supply up to forty-two (42) million gallons of sustainably produced, renewable biofuel per year to fuel the Kahe Generating Station (KPP) for a term of two (2) years to commence as early as July 2014.

USDA Farm Service Agency Acting Administrator Val Dolcini announced the deadline for project area proposals for the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP). To be considered, proposals must be submitted to the applicable state office by close of business, May 27, 2011.

U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced the availability of up to $130 million from the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) to develop five new program areas focused on rare earth alternatives and breakthroughs in biofuels, thermal storage, grid controls, and solar power electronics.

For more information about current funding opportunities visit the ARPA-E website.

The projects funded through the Biomass Research and Development Initiative (BRDI) will help create a diverse group of economically and environmentally sustainable sources of renewable biomass and increase the availability of alternative renewable fuels and biobased products.

Applicants seeking BRDI funding must propose projects that integrate science and engineering research in the following three technical areas that are critical to the broader success of alternative biofuels production:

Feedstock Development

Biofuels and Biobased Products Development

Biofuels Development Analysis

Subject to annual appropriations, USDA plans to invest up to $25 million with DOE contributing up to $5 million for this year's Biomass Research and Development Initiative. This funding is expected to support five to ten projects over three to four years. A description of the solicitation, eligibility requirements, and application instructions can be found on the FedConnect website and the Grants.gov website under Reference Number DE-FOA-0000510. Pre-applications are due on May 31, 2011 and must be submitted electronically. It is anticipated that applicants who are encouraged to submit full applications will be notified by August 3, 2011.